What to do in Wisconsin?

bikerbill · March 17, 2011, 04:03 PM

My wife's family is planning a reunion later this year at The Dells in Wisconsin, and we plan to drive. With Iowa joining the club, my Texas CHL is now good all the way to Wisconsin, if I skirt Illinois (the scene of our last domestic reunion, ur most recent was a cruise, so I'm three for three being disarmed by my in-laws). I hate to take a long road trip unarmed, but if I have to bury my gun at the border and dig it up again on the way home, I won't be happy. I know there is a federal law regarding the transportation of guns which lets you keep them locked and empty in the trunk ... will that work for the three days we'll be visiting in Wisconsin? Are there local laws that might make it possible for that to work, or will I be hauled off in chains if the gun is discovered? I know Wisconsin is working on a CC law, so maybe it will happen before we leave ... What do you think?

DTesch357 · March 17, 2011, 04:14 PM

"It is unlawful to possess, place, or transport in or on any aircraft, vehicle, ATV, or any motor-driven boat while the motor is running, any firearm unless such firearm is unloaded and in a case, and it is also unlawful to load or fire any firearm from such aircraft or vehicle. This prohibition does not apply to vehicles being used to transport individuals in sport shooting activities at sport shooting ranges."

As long as the gun is unloaded and in a case, you should be fine. I live in Illinois, but own 40 acres in Wisconsin, so I'm bringing guns into and out of the state on a regular basis.

The in order for a case to be valid, it MUST close completely and be fastened, either with clasps, latches, zipper, etc. Also, the ammunition must be stored in a separate container from the firearm.

I throw my guns in cases in the bed of my truck, and I have the ammo in dry storage boxes, also in the bed. I have a locking hard tinneau cover, so it works to keep them secured when I stop for a bite to eat or whatever.

bikerbill · March 17, 2011, 04:16 PM

Thanks, DT ... is the law you quoted federal or Wisconsin?

Pahoo · March 17, 2011, 04:17 PM

Here is a Website that has been very helpful to me and others that I refered. Spend a little bit of time in here and this should answer your questions. My compliments on seeking anseres on keeping legal. Hope it helps .....

Hope you enjoy the Midwest as much as I enjoy Texas .....

http://www.carryconcealed.net/

Be Safe !!!

Evan Thomas · March 17, 2011, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerbill

is the law you quoted federal or Wisconsin?

According to this article from the Wisconsin Legislative Reference Bureau, having a firearm cased and unloaded in a vehicle (or elsewhere) is fine. The article also notes that open carry is legal, but I've read elsewhere that it's sort of "at your own risk," in that at least in some places you're liable to be busted for disturbing the peace or some such.

And according to the same article, Wisconsin law specifically prohibits counties, municipalities, and such from passing laws more restrictive than the state ones, so as long as you're complying with state law, you should be fine anywhere.

There's also a useful summary of Wisconsin handgun laws here, on the handgunlaw.us website.

**Aguila Blanca** · March 17, 2011, 05:30 PM

The FOPA (Firearms Owners Protection Act) is the Federal law that allows you to transport (not carry) firearms through gun-hostile states if you are engaged in interstate travel. In the hostile state(s), the gun(s) must be unloaded and either in the vehicle's trunk or, if there's no trunk, in a locked case not easily accessible to the driver.

The FOPA begins with the premise that yoiur possession of the gun(s) must be legal in the state where the journey begins, and in the state where the journey ends. Therefore, since your journey will end at a family reuinion in Wisconsin, the operative question will be "Is it legal for me to possess [not "carry"] this firearm in Wisconsin?" If the answer is "Yes," then the FOPA applies and you can take the gun with you.

Once you get to Wisconsin, whether or not you can carry the gun while out and about is subject to Wisconsin law.

markj · March 18, 2011, 04:51 PM

You will have a better chance of getting hurt by a duck than you will need a gun in Wis

thm ducks can be dangerous

Dont fret it just go and have a good time. I been there many times and never had any troubles of any kind, them folks are friendly

Webleymkv · March 18, 2011, 05:35 PM

Actually, you don't have to avoid IL unless you want to be able to CC right up to the WI border. If you follow the guidelines that DT84 outlined, you'd be legal in IL too (that is how I transport firearms when I visit family in IL). The only caveat is that I don't believe IL has a preemption law so certain localities (particularly Chicago and the surrounding area) may be different but FOPA would still protect you so long as you don't stop in any such place.

DiscoRacing · March 18, 2011, 05:52 PM

My mom still lives in wisc... and I go there every spring to fish.... have to case/unload every time there..

Peachy · March 18, 2011, 08:11 PM

Join the TEA party and vote Republican or Libertarian.

geetarman · March 18, 2011, 09:38 PM

Think about Wisconsin. . .9 months of winter and 3 months of poor sledding.:barf:

Think about Arizona. Gun friendly, great places to shoot. What is not to like.

Rethink the reunion and join in the real fun

Geetarman

8shot357 · March 19, 2011, 03:53 AM

WI is mild, chill, your not in Milwaukee or Chicago.

I'd be more worried about hitting deer. Big deer!!! Take the Dell tour too.

March 17, 2011, 04:03 PM	#1
bikerbill Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2007 Location: Lago Vista TX Posts: 2,425	What to do in Wisconsin? My wife's family is planning a reunion later this year at The Dells in Wisconsin, and we plan to drive. With Iowa joining the club, my Texas CHL is now good all the way to Wisconsin, if I skirt Illinois (the scene of our last domestic reunion, ur most recent was a cruise, so I'm three for three being disarmed by my in-laws). I hate to take a long road trip unarmed, but if I have to bury my gun at the border and dig it up again on the way home, I won't be happy. I know there is a federal law regarding the transportation of guns which lets you keep them locked and empty in the trunk ... will that work for the three days we'll be visiting in Wisconsin? Are there local laws that might make it possible for that to work, or will I be hauled off in chains if the gun is discovered? I know Wisconsin is working on a CC law, so maybe it will happen before we leave ... What do you think? __________________ "The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants." Albert Camus

March 17, 2011, 04:16 PM	#3
bikerbill Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2007 Location: Lago Vista TX Posts: 2,425	Thanks, DT ... is the law you quoted federal or Wisconsin? __________________ "The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants." Albert Camus

March 18, 2011, 05:52 PM	#9
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,640	My mom still lives in wisc... and I go there every spring to fish.... have to case/unload every time there.. __________________ Desert Eagle Alliance Group Launcher Extraordinaire ______ ----Get Busy Live'n.....Or....Get Busy Die'n......Red -------They call me Dr. Bob,,,, I have a PhD in S&W

March 18, 2011, 08:11 PM	#10
Peachy Member Join Date: October 1, 2010 Posts: 85	What to do in Wisconsin.. Join the TEA party and vote Republican or Libertarian.

March 17, 2011, 04:14 PM	#2
DTesch357 Member Join Date: August 20, 2010 Location: Schaumburg, IL Posts: 52	"It is unlawful to possess, place, or transport in or on any aircraft, vehicle, ATV, or any motor-driven boat while the motor is running, any firearm unless such firearm is unloaded and in a case, and it is also unlawful to load or fire any firearm from such aircraft or vehicle. This prohibition does not apply to vehicles being used to transport individuals in sport shooting activities at sport shooting ranges." As long as the gun is unloaded and in a case, you should be fine. I live in Illinois, but own 40 acres in Wisconsin, so I'm bringing guns into and out of the state on a regular basis. The in order for a case to be valid, it MUST close completely and be fastened, either with clasps, latches, zipper, etc. Also, the ammunition must be stored in a separate container from the firearm. I throw my guns in cases in the bed of my truck, and I have the ammo in dry storage boxes, also in the bed. I have a locking hard tinneau cover, so it works to keep them secured when I stop for a bite to eat or whatever.

March 17, 2011, 04:17 PM	#4
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	Here is a Website that has been very helpful to me and others that I refered. Spend a little bit of time in here and this should answer your questions. My compliments on seeking anseres on keeping legal. Hope it helps ..... Hope you enjoy the Midwest as much as I enjoy Texas ..... http://www.carryconcealed.net/ Be Safe !!!

March 17, 2011, 05:30 PM	#6
Aguila Blanca Staff Join Date: September 25, 2008 Location: CONUS Posts: 18,468	The FOPA (Firearms Owners Protection Act) is the Federal law that allows you to transport (not carry) firearms through gun-hostile states if you are engaged in interstate travel. In the hostile state(s), the gun(s) must be unloaded and either in the vehicle's trunk or, if there's no trunk, in a locked case not easily accessible to the driver. The FOPA begins with the premise that yoiur possession of the gun(s) must be legal in the state where the journey begins, and in the state where the journey ends. Therefore, since your journey will end at a family reuinion in Wisconsin, the operative question will be "Is it legal for me to possess [not "carry"] this firearm in Wisconsin?" If the answer is "Yes," then the FOPA applies and you can take the gun with you. Once you get to Wisconsin, whether or not you can carry the gun while out and about is subject to Wisconsin law.

March 18, 2011, 04:51 PM	#7
markj Senior Member Join Date: October 27, 2005 Location: Crescent Iowa Posts: 2,971	You will have a better chance of getting hurt by a duck than you will need a gun in Wis thm ducks can be dangerous Dont fret it just go and have a good time. I been there many times and never had any troubles of any kind, them folks are friendly

March 18, 2011, 05:35 PM	#8
Webleymkv Senior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Location: Indiana Posts: 10,446	Actually, you don't have to avoid IL unless you want to be able to CC right up to the WI border. If you follow the guidelines that DT84 outlined, you'd be legal in IL too (that is how I transport firearms when I visit family in IL). The only caveat is that I don't believe IL has a preemption law so certain localities (particularly Chicago and the surrounding area) may be different but FOPA would still protect you so long as you don't stop in any such place.

March 18, 2011, 09:38 PM	#11
geetarman Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,157	Think about Wisconsin. . .9 months of winter and 3 months of poor sledding.:barf: Think about Arizona. Gun friendly, great places to shoot. What is not to like. Rethink the reunion and join in the real fun Geetarman

March 19, 2011, 03:53 AM	#12
8shot357 Junior member Join Date: September 7, 2010 Posts: 1,740	WI is mild, chill, your not in Milwaukee or Chicago. I'd be more worried about hitting deer. Big deer!!! Take the Dell tour too.